A new era began today at Mississippi College School of Law with Wendy Scott beginning as dean. Scott is the first African American to head the Mississippi College School of Law.

A new era began today at Mississippi College School of Law with Wendy Scott beginning as dean.

Scott is the first African American to head the Mississippi College School of Law. Scott is a graduate of Harvard University and New York University School of Law.

Scott is the eight law dean at MC Law, which became part of the Christian university in 1975.

Scott succeeds Jim Rosenblatt, who had been dean for the last 11 years. Rosenblatt stepped down as dean, but will remain as a full-time professor at the private law school.

Prior to coming to MC School of Law, Scott was law school professor at the North Carolina Central School of Law, and served as associate dean for academic affairs from 2009 to 2012. She also previously taught at Tulane Law School in New Orleans for 17 years.

Scott recently told The Clarion-Ledger that she has big shoes to fill in succeeding Rosenblatt, who has been the face of MC School of Law. However, Scott said she was looking forward to the challenge and overseeing one of the premiere law schools.

Rosenblatt said Scott is wonderful and will do great things at MC School of Law.

"Professor Scott brings a lifetime of exceptional service to the position, having distinguished herself as a lawyer, teacher, legal scholar and administrator," Mississippi College President Lee . Royce said in a statement. "We are so pleased to have someone so well known and respected in the legal academy provide leadership for our law school."